tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53493932536799344872024-02-21T13:50:19.623+02:00Photo-Africa: African Wildlife, Nature & Environmental Photography!African Wildlife, Nature & Environmental PhotographyPhoto-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-69377439268829790202009-02-11T05:42:00.002+02:002009-02-11T05:49:34.286+02:00Update!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Remember that the Photo-Africa Blog has moved!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">You can view the new site at</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">www.photo-africa.com</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Gerry</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-92098707941922014482009-01-26T06:07:00.004+02:002009-01-26T06:22:40.631+02:00Quick Update!<span style="font-family:arial;">Just a quick update from the <strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog">Photo-Africa Blog</a></em></strong>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Since the Blog moved from here the following posts have been uploaded:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/25/shooting-a-building.html">Shooting a Building</a></strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/24/real-man-or-just-plain-stupid.html">Real Man or Just Plain Stupid</a></strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/23/weekly-high-five-3.html">Weekly High Five #3</a></strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/22/working-the-histogram-in-wildlife-photography.html">Working the Histogram in Wildlife Photography</a></strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/19/landscapes-in-black-white.html">Landscapes in Black & White</a></strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/18/photographing-bulldogs-with-a-nikon-14-24mm-f28.html">Photographing Bulldogs with a Nikon 14-24mm f2.8</a></span></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/17/black-white-the-zone-system.html">Black & White - The Zone System</a></span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/16/weekly-high-five-2.html">Weekly High Five #2</a></span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/13/photographing-elephants-doing-nothing.html">Photographing Elephants Doing Nothing</a></span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/11/wildlife-photography-as-fine-art.html">Wildlife Photography as Fine Art</a></span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/10/golden-light.html">Golden Light</a></span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog/2009/1/9/weekly-high-five-1.html">Weekly High Five #1</a></span></strong></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Two new features on the Blog have also been posted quite a few times. They are:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;">Photo of the Day </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Arial;">Did You Know?</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">You can sign up to receive all the latest posts via email by <strong><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/subscribe-via-email/">clicking here</a></strong>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Until next time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em>Gerry</em></strong></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-28550854380013800072009-01-12T17:33:00.002+02:002009-01-12T17:42:43.196+02:00Photo-Africa Blog Has Moved!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">The new Photo-Africa website is finally complete and can be visisted at <a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/"><strong><em>www.photo-africa.com</em></strong></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/logo/StockHeader-2009.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 475px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/logo/StockHeader-2009.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"> From now all new posts will be uploaded to the Blog on the new site. The Blog can be accessed directly at <a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/blog"><strong><em>www.photo-africa.com/blog</em></strong></a></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="center"><br />Please make sure to sign up for the RSS Feed on the new site or alternatively subscribe to receive all the latest news and posts via email. This can all be easily done by clicking on the links on the new site.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">See you on the flip side!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><a href="mailto:gerry@photo-africa.com">Gerry</a></em></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-28422454679232436742009-01-09T13:26:00.002+02:002009-01-09T13:29:37.610+02:00Weekly High Five - 2009<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have just uploaded the first edition of the Weekly High Five to the new Photo-Africa Blog!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Check it out at <a href="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/blog/">http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/blog/</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em>Gerry</em></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-80820953982350363542009-01-08T12:56:00.002+02:002009-01-08T13:04:36.175+02:00So Close<span style="font-family:arial;">As you might know, I am in the process of intergrating the Photo-Africa Home Page with this Blog.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All new Blog posts will from now on be uploaded to the new site. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">There are still a LOT of things I need to do on the new site which includes all the RSS feeds, galleries and domain changes but so far so good! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I will keep you posted on this Blog as to when the whole project is completed but in the meantime please visit the New site & Blog which you can find by <strong><em><a href="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/">clicking here</a></em></strong>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The latest Blog Post, <strong>So Close</strong>, can be viewed by <a href="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/"><strong><em>visiting the new site</em></strong> </a>and clicking on Blog on the top of the screen!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">If you have any comments or suggestions I look forward to hearing from you!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Until next time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em><a href="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/">Gerry</a></em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-81948787341886157412009-01-06T15:43:00.004+02:002009-01-06T15:57:55.527+02:00A New Start...<span style="font-family:arial;">2009 has definitley kicked off with a bang!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 414px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 510px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/storage/cub.jpg?__" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The shortened version so far is this:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Very busy at lodge</strong> - We have been pretty much fully booked since middle December so I am looking forward to going on leave next week. Nice to be home on my birthday as well.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Great sightings</strong> - Wild dogs, lion cubs, leopards and loads of general game. Amazing stuff!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Huge amount of great images to edit</strong> - Have been having a helluba time shooting the last few weeks. Cannot wait to get a chance to work through all the RAW files.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>New job lined up</strong> - More on this very soon.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>New puppies on the way</strong> - Yip. Gizmo's parents are pregnant again and we will be getting two new Boston Terrier pups! Very exciting!!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>New website almost ready</strong> - This has been coming for a long time. I am in the process of giving <strong><em>Photo-Africa</em></strong> a new fresh look. The Homepage and Blog will be combined into one with a much more simple feel and new features. The version I am working on is currently live and you can visit it by clicking </span><a href="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/"><strong><em><span style="font-family:arial;">here</span></em></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. Remember there is still a LOT of work left and I should have everything 100% up and running by end January. This includes the links, galleries and many more images. When you have a moment and visit the new </span><a href="http://photo-africa.squarespace.com/photo-africa-guestbook/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>guestbook</em></strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">and leave me your comments! As soon as the new site is completed it will replace the home page and this blog. As they say... watch this space!</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:arial;">I am sorry for not getting back to all my emails yet but I am working on it and I <em>will</em> get back to you!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Until next time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></em></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-79798529437186675062008-12-29T12:39:00.006+02:002008-12-29T14:55:31.364+02:00What If...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Whether in photography or life in general, these two words can potentially carry huge meaning. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In photography these two words could be the difference between an absolutely amazing image and a very average snap shot. When used in retrospect it is too late and there is then nothing than can be done to get another chance but when you think of it before you click the shutter you open up your mind to all the possibilities that are locked up in 'what if' you can create magic.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n7p9fqIB_CMvko7VozokOr5OsTpo6CJXpkssOaJcwhJ2MfwrDOxF4AU-WBqURv_PFtdON493psymPCg-R9sr7-SuIjF_gY2rNbtjdTzWc7TtCphATubY0D_jQIOiTMcfzXs8kHdzwZ0/s1600/Blog1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 390px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285160389464838418" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if the blade of grass and leaf was not covering this young leopard's face? Would it have been a better image? Probably, but it really does not matter as there is nothing you can do about it now. The image has been created and that is that. A quick 'what if' before the shutter clicked might have led to a different outcome but then again hindsight is always nice and clear. (I still like the image though!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Now depending on your point of view on the age old cliche art imitates life and, whether for good or bad, those two little words are also a part of our everyday lives. Would it not have been easy if, like in photography, we can ask 'what if' before decisions get made. Before we speak to someone. Before life forces you to move on. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It seems way more likely that most of us will face those two words in retrospect as during this time of year we start looking forward to looking back. New resolutions. New goals. New dreams. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9u7MelNO3ebJXQo3TM4Gf8mryNFT4vNdQmIdoY4KKcCOHO94SMcpxCbHzt4cnCj-qHzrYVJYfyEFWvb_nVAH_J9SN1qSWBCM1dcIwrDBv4RkoRrnBT0ZkoAkrMoCyQAAHzFITMsm9rk/s1600/Blog2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 447px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285160394827619346" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">For whatever reason we all have to deal with our own 'what if' questions, however difficult they may be.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I said it?<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I did not say it?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I listened?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I did not listen?</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I told that one person how I really felt?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if did not give up?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I did?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if he was still in our life?<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I accepted that offer?</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I had the courage to stand by my own convictions?<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if I am better than I think I am?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if it really is possible?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What if...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtA6ZJ7YP2WJX94EZ6IMMUFXn0Ng07Txmv0Mzzs_k53j_Z9nSc2Bv5zNmh_FD7DxW4cDZmho5zb-FDPe6mylQNH5movKGbHfJLtMT1ELSZWNZg1tFpcu07zIVv-F8ZZdXac5N_5dETTk/s1600/Blog3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 475px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285160398138877698" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Life is not always black and white. Yes, there are things that are right and wrong but people's differences, personalities and ideas add color to our everyday life. When you can combine this color with a respect for old-fashioned values you will be able to live life to the full and not be afraid to face your 'what if' questions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">At the risk over too many cliches, life really is too short. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">On a personal note, I feel there are things that I would have done slightly differently but I am grateful to say there are no regrets. There are most definitely a few key moments in life I might have decided to negotiate differently but the road these decision has led me on has been amazing so even if there was regret life found a way to make up for it. New possibilities. New ideas. It has been quite a ride but it is not over yet. In a very short time from now it seems things might change again. As long as I do not sit back one day thinking 'what if I made a different decision' - bring it on!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDe7-qVWKD0RtYNY9NufrUco8B19gSyOhxKWHxfNU4V23IvVw5NBvdOpLFbFVbz6tDZDhMnXk0kK9thGc5v7mAarhGhcmTdQxSTS-k1tAERB3r9kbGrF1lwfVJ162HczX-NPaSSTvcZQ/s1600-h/Blog4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 408px; height: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDe7-qVWKD0RtYNY9NufrUco8B19gSyOhxKWHxfNU4V23IvVw5NBvdOpLFbFVbz6tDZDhMnXk0kK9thGc5v7mAarhGhcmTdQxSTS-k1tAERB3r9kbGrF1lwfVJ162HczX-NPaSSTvcZQ/s1600/Blog4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285160402149476354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As you look back at 2008 treasure the memories and look forward to another chance. In 2009 live life to the fullest. Tell that person how you feel. Go climb that mountain. Take that trip. Take more pictures. Make the change. Follow your heart. Follow your dreams. Do everything you need to do so that when you get to this time next year there won't be any 'what ifs'. </span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Thanks to everybody for their support during this year. With a lot of things planned for the New Year I look forward to sharing more images. More stories. More of life. It has been a helluva ride but buckle up because here we go again...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">All the best for 2009</span></span>. Make it count!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next year!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-46725734429172105162008-12-26T15:18:00.000+02:002008-12-26T14:41:28.972+02:00Ten 'Great' Photo-Africa Images - 2008<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">What makes a great image?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">If you ask 100 people you are going to get 100 answers. It is most definitely a personal choice but there has to be something that can be found in great images. Something that, whatever your point of view, demands the viewer's attention and makes you look at the image again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Various dimensions like technical quality, composition and other photographic 'rules' can be thrown around but is it truly possible to place a series of criteria and regulations as to what ultimately makes a great image? I don't think so.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">A great image should excite you. A great image demands a second look. A great image should capture the essence of the moment which can then be seen </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">felt by the viewer. A great image will still be a great image in 20 years. In 100 years. If you as the photographer can moved past the point where you worry about mastering technique and your equipment you are in a position to finally start creating great images. Images that you see in your mind before clicking the shutter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Wildlife photography is no different. My initial idea was to, for this final </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">High Five</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> post of 2008, go through the images on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Photo-Africa Stock Library</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> and choose a Top Ten of sorts. Obviously I was very optimistic as I have not even gotten through a quarter of the images. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Instead I went to the </span><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/popular_photos.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Most Popular images</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">, based on amount of views on the site, and chose ten images from there to feature in this post. As I was looking through the small thumbnails I chose the images that, even as a small preview, caught my attention. Isn't that what it is all about? For an image to catch your gaze no matter what the size? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I don't think all the images on the </span><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/popular_photos.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Most Popular</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> page are great images. In my opinion some of them are pretty ordinary but people's preferences differ. A good image to me might be a masterwork to you. A great image surely then has to be the one that, no matter what your background, preference or mood, stands out and demands your attention. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">So as the final </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">High Five</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> of the year, here are in no particular order a number of great images that have been uploaded to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Photo-Africa</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> during 2008. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMvbCovh5zsmGAOYj73zQDGaNfTDMSqbltdWksvYXnuEyB_IrgoENB8BORrkGXHaLqlmy6xBQrgfyQja-MF0qQ-iObZLar9JowjGrITjgYcxudq0cmpomDtgWqbuwVXdPynwNP9z8yzc/s1600/TT+-+Craig2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284050789855431906" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqoDB1ZWbpIyJJGN4c8tAhECElG9ZI1DAPj9yDE5qaRg6Op2j9hEvEOnbKXEFV0JJJpu2FdH6SbeCFSSG0cwEFEf5Iweg7hDIUzgYp8fxPi4yOmSPfDGmigoDXffyxefGoAkndTmtTSg/s1600/TT+-+Matt.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284048294948459154" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxkesDElBMInBZRJCcd50RHSDahEzfYCt1RuNxe7rM-w9pM4hwYLQTjddvA-TH_RkRWIfRXcL34nEXQoUT3Ju8giK3C6Q4FFKSiiFGQfCHoU3LpauCQOOd9usISlqCRlEe5-A7JJNBDE/s1600/TT+-+Grant.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284048290382688930" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ_x4iDsimuFOkuLr9yxL-J-1C9KRAc2b-0-ImYXj8-f6gLotcp3TTl-zvQZ0xftwhWAOyEnRs9o_zbZPpqlfv9QhnMr6ht8fGqQuuXO66NF8B3nSa07WUYw_9DGCUw8sE-oYvsstv7g/s1600/TT+-+Sharon.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 439px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284052964829642114" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jstBLVzY5UY7IabxeGuaAG9nBkfe9OIBNkRtppDAy8V93xEfbG17gPi0zHbeNVsCZEx2Ah98ysODV2f_7ei1fvA1w4YMX-iqAsQOYLUBNnzjiYZptH-1wPxIQPkhIadW1IGruPMOugA/s1600/TT+-+Gerry.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284048285740163890" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycenhnbeulkd5pgRitNY-3GM7h_3wQWFtpsT-kQ0wrbiM7pqgmmESXZUWhLQ4ozvKwVMJNXBChWoEWWEJPWssp4ogs5_XLzRmrh6rw5KatL83DQei2FamtlBvc4gu8vH1HEre0x3c2z8/s1600/TT+-+Gavin2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 393px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284046045083277090" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5ZvBYaEntikHElEmGSc0Kk3kfia_tSGb5Hs8M9LI91IQl-1FcfHQXiTdFi7UQ91L0OnKqI6A_KegxgOeMITx8Irs3gRWbRCC6BrJ5YQYL_EKYkWaJXpYFdVSKeZ5o3R-v6MGe1rcpc4/s1600/TT+-+Andrew.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 443px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284046032312165522" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumv1w6XgJeoPhTUQJvdY6wsB3-rcLjcgdS0zmWdxg7Klk0WFyBTCV_3-I9WMGdfz0axcSKjo6Q-qhHXYqN4qCT1eF0VLRM0mnis0Jk2xOsHuEGeuvkvr-X2cXF5rIThTKSGnk8hvu5sA/s1600/TT+-+Gerry2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 490px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284048289382836834" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cVOriN0Frb2AeVFPgodGVMFo4utLBTpsUFypQo2SYMNqu3-wF5HK7PdiHZwHHd4HMFJTmaX_tjj6haaxcyvQxY_kdrpE7l-WLOzM2yG4WS-x0fKebdjroUmwE7w46vLcy_rDiFU_ZxU/s1600/TT+-+Craig.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 407px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284046034458145426" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH6RNYcCH8pC4kMBNJuHYUWSwpLaWgN2vFjC34mDW7uV4pdc6ki_ilMAyRa-61iszjUp3Eywcu7RiES78oIBzTt6iGm6zqEcqYz9NJ9NDvrWniLnV_CCz3xnedKWO0jQ2O6bdczjK3ZU/s1600/TT+-+Gavin.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284046043206464674" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">These images are all very different but great in their own way. Have a look at each images and choose only one word to describe it. Passion. Tension. Power. Beauty. If you can do this I believe an image has what it takes to be 'great'.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">At the end of the day beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If your vision is true to yourself great images will create themselves. Shoot with your mood. Shoot with your feelings. Shoot like you want to and you are on your way to create great images.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">During January I will work my way through the images on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Stock Site</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> and post my real Top Ten for 2008. For now you can visit the following two links to view the ever-growing database of African Wildlife and Nature Photographs on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Stock Site</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">. Even during the festive season more than 100 new images have been added. Absolutely 'great' stuff rolling in!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/popular_photos.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Click here to view the Most Popular images on the Photo-Africa Stock Library.</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/new_photos.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Click here to view the Newest Images that has been uploaded to the Photo-Africa Stock Library.</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">What do you think makes a great image? Is it just one thing?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-48342277532569155352008-12-26T13:44:00.005+02:002008-12-26T14:04:00.118+02:00Spot the Wild Dog<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">With being one of Africa's most endangered carnivores, the Wild Dog is notoriously difficult to find and keep up with.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The dog below thought he should make it even more difficult as he sat in an old farm dam while another three dogs were scouting around for impala. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTjNxNl11OjWKX2QA1vbsBSJ4_iJtAeeVPInyr7rIMxMuv30lPSNQyfcTm8-znJ-GxvQuz6LuFWvpuFWCC8vdJS-d7uND77xZvRul1C_iz9aTvWwyJ8WjXmNJBReHutFhnmjpY4KZ_OA/s1600/_RAW9069.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 366px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284064740325384674" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">After he came out of his morning hiding place we followed them around for a while as they ran all over the place after, by now, very paranoid impala. In the end we lost visual as they moved off into the thick bushes after another possible meal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5AgUHIXH90oooY5a4Oo6hC9ydhHlt1yr7Nvut4PAAQbGJJWrcWcMTtmGMjW0XDRvGOgHSdasP7Bi1NEZZ9p9N6dF3rv-gj5r1zwGHE-s0zk9ZighVEbvVZqEniCeg0g8v6kSwUfk63w/s1600/_RAW9076.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 408px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284065895755153170" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-55447756554996878442008-12-25T14:51:00.001+02:002008-12-25T15:23:53.112+02:00An African Christmas<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Christmas and New Year normally means a nice long holiday spent with friends and family. This is not quite the same when you work in the lodge & hospitality industry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">During this time of year most lodges in Africa are completely fully booked. For the management, guides and staff this means a very busy time as you create special memories and wonderful experiences for guests. Normally this goes hand in hand with working long hours without having the chance to see family and celebrate the holiday as you normally would. I truly take my hat off to the people working over this time of year!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">During the day you find yourself looking at the people on holiday as they celebrate the togetherness and spirit of the festive season. Somewhere deep down inside you feel conflicting emotions. These feelings pendulum between a sad longing to also have the opportunity to share special moments with friends and family and a feeling of satisfaction of having created another moment, another memory for someone else. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Right now these memories are made up of adventures in the African bush, great meals and the warm hospitality where every little detail comes together to create a kind of magic.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxP80BKDBLGW3svTIXgpmyqO9xszL2oFQWTWl7sROevpzNNKIlYQ7KrJ4RDq5CB4xrAfsHTm4J4L75mJk_wILlZwqmQbIy8IQjlKwRzL3dS2LvucFpbBpNdQVxkA3248ma6WdVXEpPvGg/s1600/Blog1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 399px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283709972447240290" /><div style="text-align: left;">During the last few days of 'silly season' the game viewing at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><a href="http://www.tuningi.com/">Tuningi </a></span></span>has been spectacular. The last four groups of guests have all seen the Big 5 a couple of times over and the pack of Wild Dog have been very kind to give us the most spectacular sightings.<br /></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iYPk5Oj4tVnNvZlk37EeVTFu_7zUDw_cdNsCQ0bH6xYUnKhDyiuDgYFjKXHr63eN-ywcD-icwLpPkUYQCrdvjeweaj4CCk1EDCcBxakwLvPiS8jZ3irGwaRsh4SMq9QhESxZkoQAC3k/s1600/Blog2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 399px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283709976354690450" /><div style="text-align: left;">As we sat watching the sunset below on Christmas eve it was a strange kind of way it feels great to be a part of the memories that some people will hopefully carry with them for a long time to come. </div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYudv6PhoH_bHun25QqJ-eIj__wx4FS1obywMg9Tyc9bSEVfQ_VcRyyAkLYhplCl2hkHFXokvTNkLh8qcCsOg00eMSw2ENDUq6S4e4rqjYzolua4rszvaX02m9r-yczTHoSq-h0IISVA/s1600/Panorama+-+Vlei+Pan+Sunset+(Xmas+Eve).jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 157px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283715780520794738" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The only other feeling that is always there is that next year or the year after we will also be able to create memories with family and friends but for now we continue to do what we do and create magic for our guests - a feeling that, for now at least, is worth all the time spent.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I hope you have a Merry Christmas!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Until next time!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-12385691129583914252008-12-21T13:03:00.002+02:002008-12-21T13:12:22.901+02:00Season's Greetings!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0jY4h09mlrahpk_V3GsRRhcOs2j5lBEDSskNs2OZvllpkaObg4pKi8cHcHGLbj7WvNrKXWGoIYAAQcp_0NzcdBKfbamMjbfNx3DLDtuxUCmX-TSiypPNyww66z5bKzE1HwzBzIZU9gE/s1600-h/Xmas+Jpeg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0jY4h09mlrahpk_V3GsRRhcOs2j5lBEDSskNs2OZvllpkaObg4pKi8cHcHGLbj7WvNrKXWGoIYAAQcp_0NzcdBKfbamMjbfNx3DLDtuxUCmX-TSiypPNyww66z5bKzE1HwzBzIZU9gE/s1600/Xmas+Jpeg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282199173068722306" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-34630891564775978642008-12-19T12:04:00.005+02:002008-12-19T21:04:11.595+02:00Weekly High Five #26<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">It is amazing to think that this will be the second last <strong><em>Weekly High Five</em></strong> for 2008.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;">For those of you that are new to this Blog here is how it works. The </span><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>Photo-Africa Stock Library</em></strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">features a growing database of African Wildlife & Nature images. These images get uploaded by more than 25 wildlife photographers and field guides working in Game Reserves all over the African continent.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;">All the images have been taken in the wild and shows Africa through the eyes of people who care enough for nature and it's wildlife to capture the beauty and magic that is Africa. With many of the contributing photographers working in Game Reserves and witnessing the most amazing sightings every day , the images form a part of one of the most unique and regularly updated showcases of African Wildlife & Nature images on the Internet. All these images can be viewed on the </span><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>Stock Site</em></strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">and is available as non-licensed commercial, editorial or personal use.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;">Every Friday I choose five of the <strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/new_photos.php">latest images</a></em></strong> that have been uploaded to the site and feature them on the Blog with my thoughts on what makes these images stand out while always keeping photography <em>and</em> wildlife in mind.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;">With this being the 26th edition of the <strong><em>High Five</em></strong>, I have featured 130 images from the more than 3000 images on the <strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/">Stock Site</a></em></strong>. For next week's edition, which will be the last for the year, I will choose my top ten favourite images of 2008. I know that as I am writing this it is going to be a very difficult thing choosing only ten but it will be interesting looking through the images all the way back to when the </span><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>Stock Site</em></strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">was started in April this year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;">Make sure to check in next week for <em><strong>Photo-Africa's Top Ten</strong></em> <strong><em>Images of 2008</em></strong>, but for now here goes with this week's <strong><em>High Five</em></strong>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family:arial;">* * *</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="font-family:arial;">Image 1 - Shaking Spurfowl by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/matt">Matt Jones</a></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281441510864111218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 550px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tKDKEQ-z64lcQryVDMh1gLBwf4EcC1bellCWeOHK5uJj7TlxnKB8B9KUTZJ4n1vmpw9f7bLJL6UTMRt__9mf38Ey6AxPpqVid79T1fj_RotpP4B-PHIlGKQ3jLFjREUcYdOEQ4KRsjc/s1600/H53.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">Interesting image. This Natal Spurfowl is busy shaking himself clean after a dust-bath when Matt clicked the shutter. The head is slightly out of focus but still assists in creating a dynamic image of the bird in action. If the head was perfectly crisp this would have been ab even better image but I still find it fascinating.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;" align="left">* * * </div><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="font-family:arial;">Image 2 - Black Shouldered Kite by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry van der Walt</a></span></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281441504182980418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 438px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 550px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMYyctZATvRvadaRDizcylehbURhusoJ0ZzVy1iAMeCEyVPuxTFfcSFJ_txtsd-CWFu9GfIg6qUVTbYoW3TlYYVh9mfNCehxbzkAzllDPdldfINDHVZJTJFsaOXck7bptMHWuuVbGAVs/s1600/H523.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">This image presents quite an interesting exposure challenge but the final result is not too bad. What makes this image work is the Black Shouldered Kite looking straight at the camera - eye contact. The ideal would have been to have the sun slightly more from behind the photographer which would have highlighted the beautiful red eyes more but still a good bird image. Would perhaps have liked to see more contrast but not a major.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Image 3 - Vulture Face by <em><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/view_photog.php?photogid=29">Paul Benson</a></em></span></div></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281441520611590226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 550px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_AZ9Nw1L8JWxfm9exK7PYAcvjOM2yqve3qeSYjuj1nou8mm43v5nEOX-MbV8PMr-pKWrFpMYFPDFsMfmfv6Zbq9Ryjh03tZvAHIwmzIWg0NXt1zRCFUI2vIq6CxDusQycFIqrlwIXMc/s1600/H54.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As far as bird close up goes this is right up there. As with the previous image, and all other wildlife images, it's all in the eyes. Not only is the eyes crisp and sharp but the catch light makes the image come alive. The negative space on the right is used perfectly and gives the vulture something to look at. Stunning image of a very difficult to shoot subject.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Image 4 - Mating Lions by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gavin">Gavin Tonkinson</a></span></span></div></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281441499091060178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 550px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L0KoTgdMs-qzzjqbppFs-1x3cnmq6LS3DXpX0VAR6H6S8VtwfZKMzmxFqX0haWZ-Ppu-TzQyiVIK49ygbKvvE8ObYlFF-o6qdJbQX_dpAZEPTHqJm55rAQBIjC6vj64xQoTrI2CUtJ0/s1600/HIgh51.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This image has quite a few things going for it. The first is, again, eye contact. The male lion looking at you as if to say "What are you looking at?" immediately draws you into the image. The way it looks as if the male lion is kissing the female on her head gives the image a 'cute' quality. I am not quite sure what to make of the look on the female's face but I like it. Kind of confused perhaps? This image also shows that you should sometimes break the rules and place your focal point in the centre of the image. There are so many small things happening that it does not feel like your gaze is stuck in the middle of the frame. Nice one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Image 5 - Hyena Battle by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/matt">Matt Jones</a></span></span></span></div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281441519505630274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 550px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh71mnlGVlMDrSP5lTeCmsXZGCl96RuqSLTEv_7GaBhyphenhyphen2Tguc04_u7tQvwYXa1RZkAaB2ApqLC1sVCHszKZMEjgCI-HIPFnpA7kSeh7kWT1GhW4jFTeklpktxQXdYThyrbdRANdxhm9ZA/s1600/h52.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is easily my pick of the week. Absolutely stunning image that shows interaction between the two species of hyena. The dry dusty environment works perfectly to heighten the emotion of the scene as the Brown Hyena kicks up the dust. From a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://photo-africa.blogspot.com/2008/12/dont-think-just-do-it.html">previous post</a></span></span>, this image draws you in. It must have excited the photographer as it does the viewer. This is what wildlife photography is all about - showing the stories that play out in nature. Great shot!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It is nice to see that a lot of the guys are uploading more bird images. Overall I have been very impressed with the diversity of images that have been uploaded this year and hopefully this will show in next week's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Top Ten</span></span> post.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As we approach the end of the year there are a lot of new ideas and regulars I would like to add to the Blog. If all goes to plan this will probably start coming together towards the end of January after I have met with a few potential partners and sponsors for competitions Photo-Africa will start running. I am also in the process of integrating the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com">Photo-Africa Home Page</a></span></span>, Blog and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com">Stock Site</a></span></span> into one. Lots of work, many ideas and still quite a few things to iron out but the process has started. Will keep you posted!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Even though things are quite hectic for us over this time of year I will still upload a few posts during the next week before the Top Ten post next weekend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-27267550602498467942008-12-19T11:56:00.005+02:002008-12-19T12:04:24.907+02:00Friday Fun - African Laxative<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I received this image by email. Not sure who took it or where but the caption worked.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">"An African laxative about to start working"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cZgPpB5DKOi9Zmg8Vms1VRAOiUwu8NdzrURkawHQZgIsG-z2YwAwccpatoUCVZCSMd-CZcUDFjYHZLgNcvvFg2H6KlKnlEKmqJIhv6NtyAJyQP9wwVlfLC7cz7sfB6itRueCQLLWQvU/s1600/untitled.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 314px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281438990506645474" /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Until nest time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-42070204125067209342008-12-18T09:55:00.004+02:002008-12-18T10:34:18.092+02:00Don't Think - Just Do it!<span style="font-family:arial;">Photography is art. It is abstract. It is a passion.<br /><br />An image should convey your passion, interest and excitement. If you are not shooting with this in mind you will struggle to produce images that make people go 'Wow!'.<br /><br />You can get your images perfectly sharp with a text book histogram but it your images do not contain elements that excite you they will probably also not excite your viewers. In order to make better images shoot with feeling. Shoot with passion.<br /><br />Ansel Adams said "There is nothing worse than a sharp photograph of a fuzzy idea."<br /><br />Think before you shoot. Feel before you shoot. Don't click the shutter at a scene purely because it has been done before or you think it might look good as a photograph. You need to know. If your images don't 'talk' to you they probably won't 'talk' to other people either.<br /><br />Technical knowledge is important but it should never get in the way of shooting what excites you. <strong><em><a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/">Ken Rockwell</a></em></strong> says on his site "Worrying about manual exposure settings and technique distracts you from your passion, just as if your lover were to stop to answer the phone in the middle of a steamy one-on-one. You need to worry about seeing, feeling, composition and lighting, NOT about f/stops as you start out." </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Many people still believe that buying a newer, better camera will automatically help them produce better images. People make photographs, not cameras. A good photographer can make brilliant images with a very basic camera while many people with very fancy and expensive cameras fail to produce striking images as they lack passion and vision.<br /><br />Here are two if the images that got me quite excited the last two days.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281036335355185826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 438px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SDU21_JJcRCE7Ivu6SxajBkfVxKuT884FXvtWrDdzMSdGkspmecEiDDr4VxfPOnsHoUxE4D1BiMJSGgmaENWEfSlpUS-0yUJwIHQ1APlrh8OvLdOCMMoDJuitAUEAMbArkY09veXu7s/s1600/Madikwe+Angry+Clouds.jpg" border="0" /> Fantastic build up of clouds over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tlou</span> Dam in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Madikwe</span> Game Reserve. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281036330714571922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 399px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvf3utxfPZd_gCOi3hlM9LtrzFssVFWJ4PYmddLVEexD0s5uMsDFfugBfBRi0qo-7dKEhwftotiXbC92SDxQ6tMR6zBFHatPNl3GkluTHyA66DWeBjRXnY0hoV3hNvnwvm5Zw3bpSMcc/s1600/Blog1.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"> The front paw of a very large male lion that produces the tracks we spend endless morning walking after.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">It might not always be the obvious, but shoot what excites you. Don't think about it, just do it!<br /><br />As always I look forward to hearing from you!<br /><br />Until next time.<br /><br /><strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></em></strong></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-27938217983674456552008-12-16T21:18:00.004+02:002008-12-16T21:28:08.730+02:00Madikwe's Inselbergs<span style="font-family:arial;">If you have ever been to the Madikwe Game Reserve you will know that the Inselbergs are one of it's defining features.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This panorama shows the road on the western fence line close to the Wonderboom Gate and the Inselbergs as they stretch into the reserve from Botswana in the North. You can c</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">lick on the image for a larger view.</span><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltyJ8ksB2BB_no3syEZLHgU8sFxYgyNl90LGBM7E_KlHULD5iofmVr8Ot13MRzAD2SkTXwPIdQh30FXjYB8O4cc1oAdJfvlJ3UopNyzo3nsyZMnvY06piLM2W6PspOXx6kMCceCQCJ-w/s1600-h/Panorama+-+Inselberg.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280469933357256450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltyJ8ksB2BB_no3syEZLHgU8sFxYgyNl90LGBM7E_KlHULD5iofmVr8Ot13MRzAD2SkTXwPIdQh30FXjYB8O4cc1oAdJfvlJ3UopNyzo3nsyZMnvY06piLM2W6PspOXx6kMCceCQCJ-w/s1600/Panorama+-+Inselberg.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Until next time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></em></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-26045471326483884292008-12-16T14:50:00.007+02:002008-12-16T15:22:43.672+02:00Time, Pride and Wide Open Spaces<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">In nature, as in life, you find scenes and moments that defines a certain feeling. A certain time. A certain place.</span> <span style="font-family:Arial;">Here are a few of the images I got in the last two days that I feel 'defines' but a few of the scenes and emotions you might find in the African bush.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280369837052812850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 426px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNCQPLp_cXRFOR4t4d7mhR5isl4x7xNEQ_t7j1SaXzVB1MJGqg-uCmFWCAvw-EjmIpWW6Dh1KReJp02rjC-TzOOM8zgrQQOb700oZwsxUj42JF11OZzGLjYMhUWvNm9U68GZqORwCSBw/s1600/Blog2.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">This newly born Impala defines this time of year.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /></p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280369834064589090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 399px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiEwilq82lBXytnNWHmNdH34Lm7z-JjnCvonJeHXftMAC0JeJ7Y7saSKknhWUJ54kNWxbZbBJ28EDHTBvsXr6hUKP3FTQHfcgTMIdCN_PmNSiZEcOIMYliuuaVYkLLpPgSyMnYQ_1Jzg/s1600/Blog3.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">This image defines a certain feeling or emotion. Pride? Confidence? Longing?</span></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280369829126087474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPofxVwZc5u6MGyFSnTfgkdpFT4KwdC04cV2prXSBHwBxG9YL0s1ol7EAWHvcyoA5x5djdCFVxobfA71k38GzBN8nS-_dRDHEy1fGubo1eYfcmwUFRlgc_2FIslhWU40qPng2ay4Jukw/s1600/Blog1.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />This image defines the open spaces of Africa. This image was one of my first attempts at stitching three images together to create a panoramic view of the southern parts of Madikwe. The clouds bring a certain element of emotion. Conflict perhaps?<br /><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The rain clouds are slowly building up over Madikwe again. It is amazing how this changes the mood out in the bush. Not always for the bad though. There is a sense of expectation. A promise of renewal and the hope that the decent rains finally arrive.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Will be back with the <strong><em>Weekly High Five</em></strong> on Friday so make sure to check back again soon!<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Until next time.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></em></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-21105008270494108082008-12-15T11:17:00.011+02:002008-12-16T10:27:16.296+02:00Playing With Photoshop CS4<div align="center"><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Hello again everybody,</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have had a little time on my hands in the last week or so, and have been playing with photoshop with some of my images, and have come out with some really funky looking shots.<br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Now remember that you cannot just put a filter on any old image and hope that it would have to work. You must first select an image which you think can work with a particular filter, as not all images are suited for any filter. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </div></span><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">This is obviously no means of creating the best selling image in the industry, but nevertheless will keep you occupied for for hours on end.<br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyway so here goes......<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">Original.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279964484168975314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdB0we1KmiT_S25jmmInzPX_oYIy0gp8SrkPNw7ugTcwj-XOqmmfE4_FTdNnlcx3eQvmyNSMtilaLGsbgSsFrzSIpG4avJlnnF4Aqw2EBThuWicJU4F7fwmA5h0rfGTl5h1ZnuPljQD97/s400/Mateya+Male+Portrait+(B%26W).jpg" border="0" /><br />This was the result after the fractillus filter was applied, nice thing about this, is that the line sizes can bne changed to completely warp the image, or make it more realistic like this. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279958104686543330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ggsLThElI8nWSoQNym1S5MdoF-fF8sMkVf7svPBd4XNLkLANjN6TyM_rtrSUYuT1VN3i-Sn_aJkSOUKzXr6Yl8LfRkavz0jGbocjqG9T1qxShedSbziMBh5U1ESo9ze8CAx1vAAplVLl/s400/Mateya+Male+Portrait+(Fractilius).jpg" border="0" /></span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">Original.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279958099833271490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fgn4e3zmVSAsQ74FhvnXpDGAwFpwq8z8_r3-x6RSOMVZGzY_aKdPaOHaRnX38UVX0C0O3mLt7M7FN4w2ieM-QxiQ0L6OdbUhcv7a-UYS97n97-Mn4CSX4KVrO-8RUUfiVutz7WLPw6jL/s400/Diperoro+Female+in+Dry+Leadwwood+Tree+(Original).jpg" border="0" /><br />I created a second layer and dropped the oppacity of this image after I added serious grain to it, which gave this image a classy feel to it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279959828871979090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwxoEmw0Y1XgagG65PjSRWITnyY5gubvs6ZOaLaNxdb23scxFiGxioYOj7TPKwY0TDSd21F0Usuka-YcpqP78UfHrpfTLYb_cmMUgEt2uhAZ-Z5EAlhbfyCB2z76TKASMiIzp0icVOODU/s400/Diperoro+Up+Tree+(CS4+GRAINED).jpg" border="0" /></span></p></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">Original<br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279958103437512434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCpA62s_niNbxUqxtlNQeMhz0M0GAMGidTdARvIArINUUp53eULlSMltSYlrOMOcjVaRFkBBNpj2Izrnffr2nlNUtdMUHE7Nk5S2xM5YsjVz2P-jaPyZ2n1DKitu8xl96E2oXBhBYGOGx/s400/Ele+Art+(original).jpg" border="0" />This was created in on eof the brush strokes filters and gave this interesting mix...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279963672414741458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaqZ0lhheGfKRaFuNhyphenhyphenHCUXJvSAGZc4aoHoje2NGOmAeOys5GjtiaL9KMRu8s8kKFWHTgN_oY6GJ6QUKjI5sW4El_-8jvU1W8Wc2Eg2ZCt2qYEKdXMcik_yLfTTyqdlj7lcjYgXQEN-wU/s400/Ele+Art(+edited).jpg" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">Original.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279959820242635378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZhTLumX_BGbDFXJHkjuM56c3w5E7hRrFvfjUMya2WHNPV05yLCoWf0CmYmUb_psGc9yQTF0_4_lu2xFoGTpBqzfmCdC2Mf0NLuBk28pzSla_IxUJX7yfPdAQUYZODZeT4C8np_wRgCpW/s400/Wild+Dog+in+Blurry+Motion.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">Ater putting this image through the "Glowing Edges" filter this came out, which I quite like, and think it could print well on canvas perhaps. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </div></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279959817962307010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5p_lPJM0WDa8n1-CWW3jfrr57weFZFwHhszTxXjkdBH9tF4pGZIkhnM9PuGC2U4IJB1167_5fF5Fd5YZmqUTinFTm7bj1TnQ3MiWmS2eas5m-AfsFZ_iO2hlkw_AMt_46UlLkJiy9Tn4S/s400/Wild+Dog+in+Blurry+Motion+(glowing+edges+CS4).jpg" border="0" /> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">I cant remember which filter I used in this image, but it came out pretty good for possibly printing on metallic paper as some form of contemporary art. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </div></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279959830060707074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRuzWaacdO20AF6vOoGEln0GLS4F6lk6lvMyDCT832kxGojaPoBFigZG9D-Z6dZ2U7g-oBo0ivXeUWsCXD23Y_yDxWKR0TFOCZSkDP2jN5zFFIjSRPafHunkonZtLzN6x1lyisa9B8rVA/s400/Weird+Rhino+Ears+(Silver+Effex).jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">So what are you waiting for............ GO PLAY !!!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">The options are endless.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cheers, </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gavin"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>Gavin </em></strong></span></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Gavin Tonkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05666537323929145093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-91920147759513989202008-12-14T16:30:00.000+02:002008-12-14T16:30:01.437+02:00From Chameleons to Leopards<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The week started off quite slow.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Even today the sightings have not been as numerous as we would like them to be. Regardless of this we have been getting some pretty awesome photographic opportunities. Here are a few random images from the week so far.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMumxFC72wRC9maJ-OPA81NnLWy5DRPsMU0Qcb6BGvUVF-TZ5bKJK483mUZM9U604JTYh3j-dfmxJMyUX6evcnTOaZaS9I6oaQctr1w6LquCBJ4cdHjTZpPLcih_eimxPtUp_1i7JB08/s1600/Blog.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 550px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279612238799295634" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Guess it is too much to ask for to have a Chameleon look at you with both eyes and yes - I was flat on the floor.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVuKFhhZysSI1tcpy8wXKMDm49yKV9WPi59oDu9j5ounIizqx1T5ZEoiBVwZr2qwolSf9XFd_0jUWBQZMc8ZxDQgEpsVUAHbcwhKadZJsty9C1v2f1qFtNpAA9uU4l3ruUHSbknpSZsw/s1600/Blog1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 367px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279612240226752322" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">At this time of year there are always a lot of newly born animals around. I guess this is a face only a mother can love!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdTWuYUUHZ9TgMZYVaf0gJ8PTDfg7R6dqiM8I7f8086nh7AAcAKl5JRSIkWSJbd1FjOE7pL3t0rRdyHTy1cMp0mYPwX4xFVQENXXTh23HuKpB5wvvyWvZJaqNPwf14LJmOgUM2fpiP3A/s1600/Blog3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 550px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279612241984970786" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Shot this image with B&W in mind. Quite happy with the result.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqW0xxd_B4onrlZTIpjZ6fNmSrvbk1N_KZfJSf8rgS3osXcg-ZpGA3JnKa_jdZeOGnEHmSDf9Jnh5EMcmFkvFBdZl6zQXw5XlmeatCHYrCw4hU_ljj0PiavUuNOoZwSfXFc1w2UTXpUY/s1600/Blog2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 416px; height: 550px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279612247384940354" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This Red Crested Korhaan was not very happy with the early morning rains. Looks very miserable.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCL_Dm_sv5hJqvhjKM7oTcAOKFy4AEIoRLihQjcfFRtqrmUaeGkZxpkxbm82keczBJt-vNIPRVTi8B5bv2HMFbKGNny7Bzsy2_h0WTXxc2vdlf2cfmq2rOBnJbG511cht4krGQbA_9r0/s1600/Blog4.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 338px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279612247231252626" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Diperoro female has been giving us a few great sightings the last while. On this particular afternoon she was very happy to pose for images. Stunning cat!! Will upload more to the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/">Photo-Africa Stock Library</a></span></span> as as soon as I get a chance to go through all the RAW files. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gavin">Gavin </a></span></span>also has a few of this beauty which you can see on the Stock Site.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-28468085748728567072008-12-14T14:30:00.000+02:002008-12-14T14:30:00.401+02:00Another Rare Find<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">You might recall that at the end of November I posted an image of a 'PushmePullyou' Rhino. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">One of my guests at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.tuningi.com/">Tuningi</a></span></span>, Mitchell, got this shot and I just had to upload it! Another version, Zebra in this case, of Dr. Doolittle's mythical beast!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIel7nZRAwws3oQHrnd2w7FqcBKluIva-uKUlrdXOz7zyXRhml_MkRkTLVhyHKcK-CTlPitcFYfymGSJ79F7ilnPVL-pzDmQcoonZfgjioPTv-S0L81r7FPUgEhl1qk2HWWcAHqjfuFE8/s1600-h/Mitcell+-+Zebra.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIel7nZRAwws3oQHrnd2w7FqcBKluIva-uKUlrdXOz7zyXRhml_MkRkTLVhyHKcK-CTlPitcFYfymGSJ79F7ilnPVL-pzDmQcoonZfgjioPTv-S0L81r7FPUgEhl1qk2HWWcAHqjfuFE8/s1600/Mitcell+-+Zebra.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279291310342693298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-91179151889500797122008-12-13T12:10:00.007+02:002008-12-13T14:44:49.241+02:00Weekly High Five #25<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There is something special about being in a Game Reserve in Africa.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG0H4i4JOgqBtiS3ldwmanyQBRFV8Zsn2dw0ZnqaCldniwsWrJL_23NXsx2_f1GLLIiKSgGChuCps7iQ_RHbSbBn5RoVQrBm0QICvRaeAB3sY_-ykEpDoM9ycv-iuHDjVRoLUEorp3-0/s1600/H6.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 358px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279220591682406898" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Last night this was again apparent again when the guests at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.tuningi.com/">Tuningi </a></span></span>were treated to a bush dinner. Five star cuisine in the middle of the African bush. The evening was illuminated by the most beautiful full moon which rounded off the perfect evening. </span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Working in the hospitality industry and especially in the Game Lodge industry, is quite an adventure and takes a special kind of person. The ability to always put your own wants and needs after that of the guest requires a strange and very rare mix of passion, patience, dedication and sometimes a decent helping of 'bite-your-tongue' self control. I think that many times people involved on the fringes of the industry do not even understand how lucky they can be to have the people out in the field doing what they do. I truly take my hat off to all the guys and girls who are creating lifelong memories for guests from all over the world when they visit Lodges in Africa. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I find myself thinking about the future and where it is all going. During this time of year when we all look back at the past year and make plans for the New Year I suppose it is normal to get these feelings. Perhaps it is just this time of year. Perhaps it is my mind looking to the future. Perhaps something else? I find myself in a strange place where there does not seem to be one clear path which is the 'correct' one. The age old cliché of 'wants versus needs' seriously comes to mind. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Do you indulge your own wants and hope that needs will ultimately take care of themselves or do you take care of the needs which will in the long run give you what you want? I guess time will tell where this incredible adventure that is life will end up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Whatever the future holds I know that I will always have photography. I know that many people have written about the emotional outlet it offers so not going down that road right now. Since a concerted effort to expand my portfolio and include various other genres of photography I have learnt a lot and feel excited about it all again. Make no mistake, my passion is still wildlife & nature photography but there is so much more. You look at images differently and a whole new world of possibilities open up. As Canyon Ranch's tag line reads - the power of possibilities!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">In between all this playing around I have not had much time to upload new images to the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com">Photo-Africa Stock Library</a></span></span> but the new material has still been rolling in. With that, here goes with this weeks <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">High Five</span></span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Image 1 - Shaking Lion by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gavin Tonkinson</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VbsvXFro4zYGuSzCveQLXsMpIXFdoUa1J0n7ZZmjpQSWw4aiM6uKC0YzytTz45M_n9sg-9nYrxWqBFJZDazLu2kjXRaOyL9EVd76Vrvu8gReU5oqNvkNn0y0qd9SvdjNwtjV6eBU1_0/s1600/H5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 507px; height: 550px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279219061693912034" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">With all the lens techniques I have been playing with this week I was quite amused to see this shot. Great example of a motion blur captured with a slower shutter speed. Two things to note. You can see that the lion is pretty much in focus which shows how still you have to hold your camera when shooting with low shutter speed. Another thing that makes this image work is the fact that Gavin focused in the lion's face. You can see the motion blur forms a circular feeling around the face which pulls you gaze in that direction. Fun image.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Image 2 - Leopard Tortoise by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/view_photog.php?photogid=9">Brett Hoy</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2sndXbkmlGto2F3qIOSSgMsknDDEO8UVFlk9eTCjXpHH3s-GSTM8wgRgv0dtYQqFqvQEWBXKQLWmvxC3gNqhwnwd4UX54-D_cidHWoOY7KYUNF7xPaONzIlZaAUWZyM-esojHIB3ZpU/s1600/H55.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 367px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279219071260432690" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Nice capture of one of the 'Small 5'. What makes this specific image unique is that Brett got low down - eye level! By getting at eye level, or is possible even lower, you are on your way to create dramatic animal and wildlife images. Too many people shoot small creatures like this from the top which gives it a very 'the-human-is-in-control' feeling. Wildlife images should highlight the animal and this image does a pretty good job.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Image 3 - Brown Hyena Cub by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gavin">Gavin Tonkinson</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3v1v-Wg52eXTGGzi0b5n7nHiH9FUrzYlFBgMy_1NgYHrQzMZEVyPcxND3eQnnteEIvzTNPoPcrb12cILuGc5e5Mbg8UNkzAwIYNgiPFOhFjPy6i2xKqJHbSUOzVYBUFZNV02xCdaP2Y/s1600/H54.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 267px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279219069937742210" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This image is tightly framed and initially it feels a little bit cramped. The reason for this is that at first glance your focus is the larger animal on the left of the image. This animal is just a part of the story but the punchline is the youngster on the right. The little guys is looking at the camera as he is following his mom on their morning patrols. This image shows that you should always look at breaking the photographic rules when shooting wildlife. If Gavin left empty space on the left of the image you would not have been as drawn to the youngster. Cute youngster. Great image.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Image 4 - Elephant Herd by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/view_photog.php?photogid=29">Paul Benson</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherIxF7Eo_Ewe3sE8Q7rvhYArV19Z2PJ0kW0HBRaw0bhD1Jz1-qZPG4cDe6v_f-m4qb5vzQwRxmR_SlxFepyt7yjzJPiDFriREZsj8vAzUztRi8c7N4mgAedjuUh9YilNCfnY9VEdAqUk/s1600/H53.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 356px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279219070143258850" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Plain and simple. And it works. This image would happily hold it's own in any wildlife photography book. No funny business. A neat, clean capture of an African icon.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * * </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Image 5 - Drinking Leopard by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gavin">Gavin Tonkinson</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUHdyPyhgqNqar5dLZL2rgJLZILjsq65JEYn5PuaaPtshsmfMNKIAbWgRh6FSgzawGgjc3ilAEGv6yi__LmFI-Avc0-zjb45-3109-4PAF_fJckOogH_uPj35rT63dLqaUiPVI7Sz_uk/s1600/H52.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 367px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279219064722429970" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Three things make this image work. The tail curling to the left of the image, the background and the eyes. Every image, wildlife or otherwise, needs a place where your viewer's gaze can enter the image which should then lead it to the focal point. The white tipped tail does this perfectly. The background works very well as it is not cluttered and you get the feeling that the leopard is in it's natural environment. I also like the slight diagonal line created between the mud, water and grass at the top. The only thing I would have wished for in this image is to have seen the leopard's whole face reflected in the water. You probably did not even notice it before I said it so it is not something that is going to take anything away from the image but it would have made it even better. Great capture of Africa's most elusive cat. Tough one this week but am going with this a my pick of the week!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">* * *</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Another great mix if images in this week's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">High Five. </span></span>To see more of the latest images that have been added to the Stock Library <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/new_photos.php">click here</a></span></span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Check back again next Friday for the next edition of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Weekly High Five</span></span>! I will also be back in the week with new posts and images.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-1435554797701102562008-12-11T20:12:00.000+02:002008-12-11T13:02:01.233+02:00Diversity & A Few Thoughts on Elephants<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">Diversity in not only the natural environment but also the images I have been capturing the last while.</span><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As you might know, I have been playing around with various lens techniques and with a certain 'feel' of images in B&W. It is kind of difficult to find something if you are not quite sure what you are looking for, could get very deep with that but not going there right now, but in a few instances I have been getting close to this unknown goal I have in mind.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I have been enjoying playing around with the B&W images as it makes you understand colour better. When you convert an image to B&W in Photoshop CS4 you play around with the different base colors while which then shows you which areas of your image will pop or fade away. When you then keep this in mind when shooting out in the field again you can not only 'see' which images will work better in B&W, but you think about color differently as well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The amounts of yellow and red are vital when shooting with B&W in mind. If I get a chance I will upload a few examples but for now here are a few images I captured this morning and played around with a little.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWq9xVV2m0veCIIIgTav_iPQSQyt_rSLfWn3GwKB6C77rhayxHS8BHbvkwpXVAGOdy2v9HvISFKJo20cdxZ3LXEw4LE6pktAMUmBcn4u1pjKznEtX8ld6aIK3xOEYZuM43H6zEuc_NFw/s1600/Rock.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 365px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278475954253933474" />Yes, I still think the zoom trick combined with slow shutter speed is pretty nice. Combined with B&W it makes for an interesting, striking image. As I said before, there are images everywhere!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCLE9BeyvS2Z05nulsfWm44UP9a1hOkInLxe2Z1DwyuxygMzo_lGPfrh4dmKU2c0bWsAM69sGT-iRvwsmp3PIqiQN9xJAtez0U4JusKPJHkDdFhD6jfzDgfn51obXiqdCiwOyl6tF-yw/s1600/Ellie.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 365px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278474711179117314" /><div style="text-align: left;">Pretty straight forward. The elephant was trying to catch the scent of a breeding herd close by which gave me this image. The B&W conversion, where I tweaked the red and yellow quite a bit, helped me create this final result.<br /></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVImAnMIW_mSqgQbvn5MFAg2K8qDoHd5zB_S8XwF-hsU166_XpmIpvrG5QuqVYwCNxlwTlvoX3r_KBDRGJoR_6Sa1LKrx8y3McZ4onX0i-JB8VdsRAS1XljD8FPxeHQourhrWj65KCgU/s1600/BW.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 365px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278474705102477522" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Still not qui</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">te sure about this one. It is a flower from a Sicklebush tree (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Dichrostachys cinera</span>), converted to B&W. I feel it is mildly fascinating at best but too dark and, in this case, much prefer the original.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNOQ70WyV4cXizgeO1ijJT70W0HadLJLe-IXvLX9CcjnwRlDuBqKXEImopaGOR4g42gOGx4csavj6SMRizT70B6oycr6tIkWcLgpLDcy9IIpbSbavZLmXsl-Cza_knKrt2Hk44BlpJ-g/s1600/Color.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 365px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278474711524814114" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">This was the original shot. The scientific name, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Dischrostacys</span>, literally means 'two colored flower' and you can see why. They are also sometimes called a 'Chinese Lantern Tree or, due to these trees all flowering during this time of year, a 'Kalahari Christmas tree'.</span><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Right now for the 'few thoughts on elephants.'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I recently read the following:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Some argue that change in any habitat is inevitable, that nothing in nature stands still and that it is the way of evolution to adapt and change over time.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">True enough; but this belief carries much less conviction when applied to circumstances pertaining in areas with artificially fixed boundaries. Within these parks we are not witnessing wild nature in action, but a man-made spectacle where restriction of movement and resources modifies behavior patterns.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">In a utopia of infinite resources and space, there would be substantially less impact on the environment; but much as we may prefer otherwise, the modern reality is of flora and fauna congregated within the relatively narrow limits of regions whose boundaries are determined by humans."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">This passage might not what we would like to hear or think of when visiting a game reserve in Africa but it is most definitely filled with truth. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This morning we were sitting behind a group of about fifty elephants as they were slowly making their way down the road and around a corner. It felt like you were in deep dark Africa. Large mammals who have walked the soils of Africa for many hundreds of years and defines the continent's natural environment and beauty. This feeling is, I would imagine, what you read about in books of African exploration many years ago.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As the elephants left and we were able to turn the corner we saw three delivery trucks lined up on the side of the road waiting to go about their business of supplying the lodges with everything they need to keep the wildlife industry ticking over.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Just like that any notion of a romantic Africa, an Africa of completely 'wild' animals and environments gets shattered as the trucks thunder past us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Are there still any 'truly wild' places left in Africa? In the world? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Where is all of this going? At the rate we are going, will my children and their children still be able to share the moments I am capturing? Or are some of these images all that will one day remain of African nature as we know it? Guess time will tell.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinej-NcI-G4eK9eLy-66CWWMHV9Sg1PCjqxsnz0YJKSMe24lecRYd81F8FH8Xm7IW8k5fJYC_IukaWYyV1aAr8yI47PNQV1ewb-pgoyQ7nSBGN6Md2qc8tKf3oinqP-q0sBzQKGlIW89Q/s1600/Ellie1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 530px; height: 550px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278484153246541410" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-84637862778390489572008-12-11T12:50:00.002+02:002008-12-11T13:50:59.335+02:00Photo-Africa Photographer: Kevin Linforth<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><em>"I am just a somple person with a simple life. I live and work in the Madikwe Game Reserve. I cam to Madikwe in 2003 and have grown to love this magnificent place. I originated from Zimbabwe and moved to SA when I was still young. Now I spend most of my time in the bush and it is slcear to me that I belong there. I have recently changed odges and am now based in the far east of Madikwe and have noce successfully worked in all 4 corners of this amazing par."</em> Kevin Linforth<br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- When did you start taking photos?</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Two years ago</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Film or Digital?</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Digital</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- What equipment are you currently using?</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Canon EOS 10D with 70-300mm IS Lens and a Canon 22-55mm wide angle.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Thoughts on Photoshop and post processing of images</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I prefer to keep my images natural and original.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Favourite subject to photograph?</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sunsets, landscapes and any wildlife.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- Place in the world you still want to photograph?</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Luanga Valley</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI35405ruekSZvixhCAe86jEt8evLyz_JK44OeNv1dyUyArhG3W-8MkMLJInGVuFwtWfIEz4BfGlabZw4PGxi2Hn4aVgpiu1bP5CsQY7kHdW3Neq2aaNTUXwM4EA2GkIiFKDEh6Mbm9Hwg/s1600-h/A4+-+Kevin6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275886826490682786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 550px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI35405ruekSZvixhCAe86jEt8evLyz_JK44OeNv1dyUyArhG3W-8MkMLJInGVuFwtWfIEz4BfGlabZw4PGxi2Hn4aVgpiu1bP5CsQY7kHdW3Neq2aaNTUXwM4EA2GkIiFKDEh6Mbm9Hwg/s1600/A4+-+Kevin6.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyJbLDOBovlLPiGcx6qsKlVbhLzzY3XlsoDLVyZoDIxNdwL2ovBxuaNCBBmhYRjlXvnGRMttJJ0QX8W6SPLsDUwW-M8WkzSmKWBEaAujzKkt1fS4eOr6ltp47qbTdAnhp9WkicxQ3E_Ov/s1600-h/A4+-+Kevin3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275886827898097170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 550px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyJbLDOBovlLPiGcx6qsKlVbhLzzY3XlsoDLVyZoDIxNdwL2ovBxuaNCBBmhYRjlXvnGRMttJJ0QX8W6SPLsDUwW-M8WkzSmKWBEaAujzKkt1fS4eOr6ltp47qbTdAnhp9WkicxQ3E_Ov/s1600/A4+-+Kevin3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcc8l5S6sMieR-oWpFXdIYBK_gS3dX61pTXOg6t0qey2eZWtd4yWk6RtapEfPZRDGDJapPp3-7nGHMRYatI2-W_q85A4glcia35lzH-5vo5gNNrxQe8J_JrY4d4uTIjTbeY_8a_uSpHQI/s1600-h/A3+-+Kevin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275886823485992290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 550px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcc8l5S6sMieR-oWpFXdIYBK_gS3dX61pTXOg6t0qey2eZWtd4yWk6RtapEfPZRDGDJapPp3-7nGHMRYatI2-W_q85A4glcia35lzH-5vo5gNNrxQe8J_JrY4d4uTIjTbeY_8a_uSpHQI/s1600/A3+-+Kevin.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">To view more of Kevin's images on the Photo-Africa Stock Library, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><a href="http://www.photo-africa-stock.com/view_photog.php?photogid=12">click here</a></span></span>.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">* * * </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next time.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-9890936113069817492008-12-11T11:45:00.010+02:002008-12-11T12:09:10.822+02:00Magical Afternoon in Madikwe<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYP_xLhyphenhyphenYikqnSHur9ID6RIOnMICHcDlpjgmbFy8kp8yx4LypPyMI5VSXVRIgRHm_Cx60ICf99wsWa6KPZTK7WCOQTtDcizPH9xzGtTRelHfaODK0qcJxj21mFQl70oUPNNLnPbPDLJ1e/s1600-h/Thundery+Sunset.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There is something in the air around Madikwe that makes every guest here on their first Safari sit up and notice the serene beauty of this land called "Mother of Crocodile". Even though there are very few crocs in the Groot Marico river in the east of the park, they are residing very happily here amongst all the the other spectacular game which is up for viewing on your bedroom deck, or on the game viewing land cruiser.<br />The park is really looking stunning with a lot of rain falling recently transforming this usually dry landscape into a bustling hive of activity.The migratory birds are back in full force and giving us the sweet music to our ears......<br />Anyway, yesterday I was with some return guests of mine who stayed at Tuningi 2 years ago, Malcome & Jean Hewitt and their friends Jack & Cathy Macdonald, and we went on the last afternoon safari with them in a very chilled mood we set out into the bush.<br />We were looking for some giraffe, and boy did we get our worth......<br />Yip, there were about 8 or 9 giraffe all around the Nare Dam area and they just presented themselves with no bother in the world, and gave us some super photo opportunities like these shots.... we must have sat with them for about 45 minutes before they finally got bored with our presence and pushed off into the thickets. There were some rhinos also at the little pan who stopped in for a quick mud pack and shunted on to satisfy their undying need for fresh grass. </span><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /> </div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwagdmtkzQKXGFOz6d4u6SQqzhJzZ-94tpcutX9G8_EtNojddYMrRm9PxAP9MNoVkx42VIgF4Bk8SakkPHiPWEDgUzqvUYtza8EDdY5K39txUsPvwwxWK3UG5SNhDtqeFo_8S1NoEJtBo/s1600-h/Giraffe+Sticking+out+his+Tongue.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278470087992612562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z8fHHl9j_XpSNi7GtLLGlnPb1JQOakUbpqb7QlWTeLmotQPH-gJ2KN7TBKpJyfwL-XYQFVdZNogV2VI1zXXP8cMCkrxcS8jLhBvMfKHJnkhsGAVxYHqsnTDa6PgwORlfHifKMJtBsuBc/s400/Giraffe+Sticking+out+his+Tongue.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After the Journey of giraffe still lingering in our minds we decided to go for a drink at Nicks view, and enjoyed some good south african wine and G&T's. The view was to die for.....<br />So the drinks stop lasted a little longer than usual as the scene as just as relaxing as at looks above..I Promise... u should come try it some day with us at Tuningi. </span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278468720296912130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VhczA4PP4p26quuwLDuOTmqmhCfbU8RPFPsYID7E9acgeHuLA_btm9Rmg9m-AGYxl9raWjlhAkE4zGbn9YM-U8akTouOzTKQy2Yb1L9fJO-fnfPS_k5l9jxBC62dU-rCpaxZOk_vU2Vh/s400/Thundery+Sunset.jpg" border="0" /><br />So..... there she was !!!! </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278468705659786562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchyLcDSPrwLPh3p5p9SwVCkjEFOp2aqntkvruyWlPptGCMn8j2ARYMQ936NDkOzoS6hR9m49zfbHuaUZhxZDB0jvy5U5xf5fPrY3hYanUDhJQL2HMLosEnxcV08k_2-QQtXT5PvNqv5zr/s400/Diperoro+Female+frpm+behind+in+green+grass+(b%26w).jpg" border="0" /><br />The Diperoro Female was sitting slap bang in the middle of the road seemingly looking to catch a spurfowl for a snack, and as they say the rest is just....BLISS.... !!! </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFrUjJ0CW3bmmi-2fJv87vnb4LVQKz-z2IB5WtblEp8Rv26v-OO1wbYipkY1eKskdUKBL2j4MzzKv7m0iQ9mrHRzTmh03fTZpjGVnAKt_GcqMvCz83u1bp5nVBmt2ToM96sRdCmGdVMg/s1600-h/Diperoro+Female+Drinking+6.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278468708447793602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV85EFF8OuU5O1LxNjdgQDhIjfjSqgDQjWSL-sjnekJQF9gqEctbo2h2P8MmlTf0rO-McNwVyZUeN3bBO0IjfcYYBbWY18pptV2sczc_o09Npa1B-315BY8IHOtJF5jMhZilDPv0kUsJz/s400/Diperoro+Female+Drinking+6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Check some of these shots, even though the light was almost gone, I took my converter off to get the most out of my 2.8 f 70 -200 as i could. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9NVYBGJ3X2t69HKxgtnmVoHWmwqn1eRz82rnDQ_RR9T_cAjxdhJekXLRxK4DkNqJWOhwPE2EIQdtSGe98FFzEr21HCYJx-zkZxASOdCxKFmhnIVasWjIuJ1wZDgGFhA_-cOBB45gLZE/s1600-h/Diperoro+Female+in+Dry+Leadwwood+Tree+2.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278468711465932498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdrgwjtH_mjDdea-ob454UJhIlsWTnXrZEKHuWzf9u6jC-4VAw5iJv0pF5_CZFYotfmpiZlWLk3MQdrX6_w7p8l5OmMc-5PD0oBLZ1rBaXDLAyg3-2XSKsOAmXrQqIxpF1qU6uESbBCwv/s400/Diperoro+Female+in+Dry+Leadwwood+Tree+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFc-ToktD980rj1_T-gk-AXoOGUM3-GFam7Eek0V7b-bNb7dBjoam95ymmFxRc0bZ8Q1NFS62Pzj3T2PNTpI-YuBpyEkdGujVIXSCKeK3E-f8uscPUxHhVcaC9CpimlwCt7oXdHsnXgA/s1600-h/Edited+PS.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278468712441396626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_pWl8LuHkx1TGSECE9u5Wh9AdTRvpMkbA6ixDZKnB_u0UI_HTW-qekVlh9oq49k_oHgTmGCfH5F1QZgcty1V9aepIHLQ8JMY57cACAA5mWefNjpmBpZEh01zEChooLPggxa_XE8ZRQ87/s400/Edited+PS.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">That was the cherry on the top, as seeing this magnificent beast in the Madikwe is and should be a treasure of the african bush. We viewed her for about 30 mins before she dissapeared into the scrub after something we could not see................<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Until next time<br /><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gavin"><strong><em>Gavin</em></strong> </a></span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Gavin Tonkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05666537323929145093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-7819242087815880212008-12-10T17:53:00.001+02:002008-12-10T17:53:01.813+02:00Playing with Black & White<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6pKDtbZpswwqncIf85v4kmQMAFG_twgDotR-boUTm8ZRGca1ZwltikLtAAwc-CKiqi-P8euq4AA5bLK7XR7lzm3x4DTrHIUcKA8qsbvJamBV58ZVI5lBSybVhKzXCbHHVmZZMxT2xg8/s1600-h/Seagull+Upload+(8).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 414px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6pKDtbZpswwqncIf85v4kmQMAFG_twgDotR-boUTm8ZRGca1ZwltikLtAAwc-CKiqi-P8euq4AA5bLK7XR7lzm3x4DTrHIUcKA8qsbvJamBV58ZVI5lBSybVhKzXCbHHVmZZMxT2xg8/s1600/Seagull+Upload+(8).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278147455468580274" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As the title says - playing around with black & white.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I have a certain type of 'style' in mind but not quite sure how to get there. Actually I am not even quite sure what that 'style' is but step by step I reckon I am getting closer to the picture and feel I have somewhere in the back of my head.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There are three of the test-drive images of me looking for whatever this style is! Does this even make sense? Anyway.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Would appreciate your comments on these.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7CW6LQBEsEyXghWsHA0qJZq3M0FNyo2l5gKUv_sdJ978tdq2KKY4VmZgDLyfQuBLrCzMuumlPT0m6El8uHs6wN6aqyuba-AIbNimZ6-_FS_SVVTy4BFYTUmv3lLBKhJfSre95DI4r_I/s1600-h/Sereti+Flehmen01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7CW6LQBEsEyXghWsHA0qJZq3M0FNyo2l5gKUv_sdJ978tdq2KKY4VmZgDLyfQuBLrCzMuumlPT0m6El8uHs6wN6aqyuba-AIbNimZ6-_FS_SVVTy4BFYTUmv3lLBKhJfSre95DI4r_I/s1600/Sereti+Flehmen01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278145035408719906" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI18zh2mokz6U3abSf2gXW8bMSUzO48xLGToZsmXCC7_dVT6qI9s0xuvmFelvG9It7aMYQCKGyvnRB83uE4yAoGuOIGUtILPnO_vHF6fCz2Bvu3YTme3Wiz66ikH1fUnhU1i58KBozLDmv/s1600-h/Firefinch-03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI18zh2mokz6U3abSf2gXW8bMSUzO48xLGToZsmXCC7_dVT6qI9s0xuvmFelvG9It7aMYQCKGyvnRB83uE4yAoGuOIGUtILPnO_vHF6fCz2Bvu3YTme3Wiz66ikH1fUnhU1i58KBozLDmv/s1600/Firefinch-03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278145030508904930" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349393253679934487.post-43234304379098703982008-12-10T10:40:00.003+02:002008-12-10T12:39:55.350+02:00Images from a Quiet Drive<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">When you go on safari you can never be assured that you will get marvelous sightings. A leopard up a tree with perfect golden light is definitely more the exception than the rule.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">During some of those times when nature does not want to play along and produce the Big 5 and other visually exciting moments a lot of people start putting their cameras away. Why take another image of an impala? Why waste valuable memory card space by taking images of a Scrub Hare?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">As a photographer you create impressions of what you see and the image you are trying to convey to your viewer. Play around with your settings. Pan along with a running animal. Zoom out as you take a long exposure image. There are many ways in which you can get creative while out in nature. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzMicnbR0e0eMnuuya5Z0Jm2S8sAH6KMVhrE5-ll62ihfGUyfjUd6gefl5_eq7Y88GcV108a2aSXexrUpwX-SvrjB9BpISqgU-_MoM4Mo5zRA5ToFUjm7X1lNpqH5tqrKdOXHN0Si9iz7/s1600/Blog1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 324px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278080980506437122" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This morning it was very quiet out there so we spent a bit of time watching a herd of impalas. They were pretty skittish as there were quite a few youngsters running and jumping around so we decided to try and capture some motion blurred images. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This can be great fun even though you might end up with quite a few worthless images. At the very least you will learn more about your camera! To do this drop your shutter speed as far as you can while still considering the light you are working with. If you need to, adjust your aperture to allow for the slower shutter speed. (I was at f/29 for the above image). The idea is to follow the animal while you click the shutter. Ideally you would keep the animals head, neck and body in focus while the legs and background get blurred which will then convey that feeling of movement. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">The above image, of a young impala jumping, is by no means a masterpiece. The head is still out of focus and the background is too cluttered which take away from the focal point but I suppose you get the idea. Gonna keep playing with this. Nice fun and potentially amazing images!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZAzuvqjvfcZU7yFYRsCCFzRp-n97h4_1_aDIMTnaT8VEyr00KumAgLB0jL4pKFwpxBA4hMKe7He_U_tXOnJdCA3zJtbdOAyuxP8BL07NtxzBwFVmeJBiky5v1daUkUXGwie80AlmvWAz/s1600/Blog2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 365px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278080980670165410" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This image of a Scrub Hare was also taken during a pretty quiet stretch yesterday evening. The little guys was sitting perfectly still which gave us the opportunity to play around with some lens techniques to create interesting images. By again dropping your shutter speed and then zooming out / in as you take the image you can create zoom effects like this. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">The Scrub Hare might not be the most sought after photographic subject in Africa, but I believe you can make an image out of anything. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I find that by playing around witht things like this you automatically think more about your settings. I reckon that shutterspeed is crucial when you are trying to freeze the action or blur movement but for wildlife photography aperture and the corresponding depth of field is probably the most important factor to creating sharp, srtriking images. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I will probbaly write more on this soon but by playing around with your equipment, even if it is to create strange artistic like these you think about your photography more. And that can only be a good thing!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">While playing around like this I have found that somewhere in my head I '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">see</span>' a certain style of images I want to try and create. Black & white images. Composition. Contrasts. Difficult to explain but it is all those little things that work in an image combined. Hmmm...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Not exactly sure of how, but it is out there somewhere. I guess the journey is just as important as the destination so here we go. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">As always I look forward to hearing from you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Until next time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.photo-africa.com/gerry">Gerry</a></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">For more African Wildlife, Nature and Environmental
photography from Photo-Africa you can visit these sites:
Home Page - http://www.photo-africa.com
Stock Site - http://www.photo-africa-stock.com
If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you!
Best regards,
Gerry</div>Photo-Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704045736607291695noreply@blogger.com2